First On-Farm Grain Storage Chemistry In Decades Approved For Use In Western Australia

[Melbourne, October 12th] – K-Obiol^®, which contains the active ingredient deltamethrin, is a synergised grain protectant that can be used to treat Malt Barley, Wheat, Oats, Sorghum, Rice, Maize and other cereal grains, and provides protection against the main stored grain insect pests, in particular Lesser Grain Borer, for up to nine months.

Segment business manager at Envu, Paul Crack, says the approval of K-Obiol for on-farm use in WA means growers will now have multiple options to control insect pests in stored grain, which provides a range of benefits, particularly from a resistance point of view.

“Previously growers only had the option of fumigation or very old chemistry in Fyfanon, so K-Obiol is another product that has never been used in Western Australia before, and it will be very strong and effective in controlling a range of insect pests,” Paul explains.

“From an industry stewardship point of view, having another insecticide that is available in the grain storage market that is a different mode of action to anything else that has been used in Western Australian market before is a really big win for the industry in terms of insecticide resistance.

“Resistance is a growing issue across the entire country, and repeated uses of the same product over many decades has resulted in many populations of insects becoming resistant to many commonly used insecticides. This being a new mode of action will extend that resistance period out even longer by allowing for the rotation of chemistry.”

Grain Producers Australia Chair and WA grain producer, Barry Large, said his organisation supported the delivery of new technologies and tools that helped growers become more profitable and sustainable, so the approval is a welcome one for Western Australian growers.

“We know insecticide resistance is an issue that we need to manage as an industry and growers need more options to help them get the job done properly,” he said.

“That’s why this is a good outcome for growers with another option to help protect their grain from damage by insect pests.”

While any product in WA that will be delivered to Co-operative Bulk Handling (CBH) facilities needs to be pesticide residue free (PRF) and cannot be treated with K-Obiol, the latest APVMA approval is a really big win for those growers that are storing grain on-farm.

“Growers can use a product like K-Obiol to store their grain on-farm for up to nine months and keep it pest free while maintaining grain quality, which is one of the biggest challenges,” Paul says.

“If grain quality decreases because of insect infestation then grain price drops as well, so by using a reliable product like K-Obiol it allows farmers to confidently play the grain market knowing they will have insect free grain when it comes time to market it. That will give them a big advantage in capturing the best price possible for their grain.”

To ensure no pesticide treated grain enters the PRF market, Paul says Envu has strict protocols in place for both agents selling K-Obiol, and growers who intend on purchasing it.

“All agents selling K-Obiol need to undergo a stewardship training process to ensure they understand the limitations around using K-Obiol, and growers wishing to purchase K-Obiol also need to have undertaken a stewardship program prior to purchase,” Paul says.

“That program outlines all of the different constraints around using K-Obiol and the markets that it excludes growers from if they do use it. The stewardship program is accessible via an easy-to-use online portal that we have developed, and once successfully completed, growers and agents will get a certificate of completion.”

“To uphold their end of the stewardship program, agents will also have the ability to search through a database to see that growers have completed the program and are approved to purchase the product.”

Paul says while knowing the different constraints around using any product, not just K-Obiol, is really important, reading the label to understand use rates and restrictions around the PRF market in WA is essential.

“For K-Obiol in Western Australia, it is extremely important to understand the use rates and to make sure you do not exceed any of the existing MRLs. It is also outlined on the label that any grain to be treated and delivered to the CBH requires pre-approval to ensure the export market is not compromised,” Paul says.

“It is also important to wear the correct safety gear, so following the label directions carefully is essential.”

Applied via a pump and tank arrangement with a nozzle that sprays product onto the grain as it moves up the auger, K-Obiol is suitable for use in both sealed and unsealed silos, which will provide Western Australian growers with greater flexibility.

In order to treat grain properly, K-Obiol must be applied alongside the registered organophosphate in WA, malathion, and growers should stick precisely to the recommended dilution and application rate. This will help protect against insecticide resistance and ensure the entire spectrum of stored grain pests are controlled.

While K-Obiol will give grain long-term protection from insect infestations, it is not registered to control live insects, so it is important that grain is not infested before treatment.

For more information on K-Obiol EC Combi insecticide visit the Envu website. Always read the label before use.

 

About Envu

Envu was founded in 2022, a new company built on years of experience, for the sole purpose of advancing healthy environments for everyone, everywhere. Envu ANZ offers dedicated services in: Professional Pest Management, Golf, Ornamentals, Industrial Vegetation Management, Lawn & Landscape and Range & Pasture.  Across each of its lines of business, Envu focuses its work in chemistry and beyond, collaborating with customers to come up with innovative solutions that will work today and well into the future. Globally, the Envu portfolio consists of over 180 trusted and well-known brands. The company employs nearly 900 people and operates in more than 100 countries with four global innovation hubs.

Find more information at www.au.envu.com

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For further information please contact:

Paul Crack

Phone: 0438 991 907

E-mail: paul.crack@envu.com

 

Contact for media inquiries:

Amy Kernke

Phone: 0476 548 360

E-mail: amy.kernke@envu.com

 

Forward-Looking Statements

This release may contain forward-looking statements based on current assumptions and forecasts made by Envu management. Various known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors could lead to material Envu and the Envu logo are trademarks of Environmental Science U.S. Inc or one of its affiliates. ©2023 Environmental Science U.S. LLC. differences between the actual future results, financial situation, development or performance of the company and the estimates given here. The company assumes no liability whatsoever to update these forward-looking statements or to conform them to future events or developments.

 

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